Network adapter loses driver

This is a Sony Vaio computer with WLAN running Vista, 32-bit. If you turn on the computer and try to access the wireless network, you will get "no network available." I tried reinstalling the driver, checking for hardware, all of the right click options listed under the Device Manager/Network Adapters. It is an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG. It also states the device is working properly, even though it isn't.

I finally tried the uninstall and then restarted the computer and it showed it reloading the driver, and then the network can be accessed and it works, well until you turn off the computer or restart it, then it is GONE. Does someone know how to fix this so I don't have to always remember to "uninstall" the driver before turning the laptop off? What is causing the driver to not be there?

When the laptop reboots, can you bring up a command prompt and try and ping www.google.com or www.bbc.co.uk ? Do you get a response ?

Could be a DHCP issue. Try using the following commands at the command prompt:

Code:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

The No Ma'am commandments:

1.) It is O.K. to call hooters 'knockers' and sometimes snack trays
2.) It is wrong to be French
3.) It is O.K. to put all bad people in a giant meat grinder
4.) Lawyers, see rule 3
5.) It is O.K. to drive a gas guzzler if it helps you get babes
6.) Everyone should car pool but me
7.) Bring back the word 'stewardesses'
8.) Synchronized swimming is not a sport
9.) Mud wrestling is a sport

Have a read at this link and do the steps at the bottom for Windows Vista.

The No Ma'am commandments:

1.) It is O.K. to call hooters 'knockers' and sometimes snack trays
2.) It is wrong to be French
3.) It is O.K. to put all bad people in a giant meat grinder
4.) Lawyers, see rule 3
5.) It is O.K. to drive a gas guzzler if it helps you get babes
6.) Everyone should car pool but me
7.) Bring back the word 'stewardesses'
8.) Synchronized swimming is not a sport
9.) Mud wrestling is a sport

Have you tried downloading the latest drivers from Intel's website? Uninstall the drivers and then install the new one.

It could possibly be that as part of Windows updates, it's 'found' a new updated driver and installed it

The No Ma'am commandments:

1.) It is O.K. to call hooters 'knockers' and sometimes snack trays
2.) It is wrong to be French
3.) It is O.K. to put all bad people in a giant meat grinder
4.) Lawyers, see rule 3
5.) It is O.K. to drive a gas guzzler if it helps you get babes
6.) Everyone should car pool but me
7.) Bring back the word 'stewardesses'
8.) Synchronized swimming is not a sport
9.) Mud wrestling is a sport

I did go to Intel and check for newer drivers. It didn't seem to make a difference. Everything tells me that it is the most up-to-date driver, just can figure out why it drops off when the computer is restarted and cold started.

Just a sidenote. I have a friend that says that their Verizon broadband card keeps disconnecting. You can hear the clunk, clunk when it does. Then he has to go back into the Verizon program and reconnect, several times a day. In that case, I have suggested he think about uninstalling the driver and turning off the computer and letting the computer reload the driver. I don't know a lot about drivers, maybe if I did, I could figure it out.

If the broadband modem is causing issues, re-installing drivers will have no effect.

The No Ma'am commandments:

1.) It is O.K. to call hooters 'knockers' and sometimes snack trays
2.) It is wrong to be French
3.) It is O.K. to put all bad people in a giant meat grinder
4.) Lawyers, see rule 3
5.) It is O.K. to drive a gas guzzler if it helps you get babes
6.) Everyone should car pool but me
7.) Bring back the word 'stewardesses'
8.) Synchronized swimming is not a sport
9.) Mud wrestling is a sport